tom hogsed

This letter ends with a very practical section, which expresses how genuine faith will work itself out in daily life. After having spent most of the letter explaining the superiority of Jesus Christ to the Levitical system of worship and also providing examples of those who walked in faith, the writer of Hebrews provides some specific characteristics of those who truly believe. He begins by challenging his readers to “let brotherly love continue.” In John 13:35, Jesus said that the identifying mark of someone who follows Him is that they have love for one another. Along with this thought, the writer urges them to “entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Not only were they supposed to love those who were fellow believers, but also those who were still in their unbelief (13:2). Believers should “remember the prisoners” which represents those who were suffering persecution for their faith (13:3). Another mark of a believer is their view of marriage and any sexual activity outside of marriage would be judged…Christians were to keep themselves pure from sexual sin (13:4). Verses 5-6 instruct the follower of Christ to abstain from seeking after material things, but rather be satisfied in the presence of God, who will “never leave you nor forsake you.” The writer also turns to some religious directions (13:7-17) to go along with the moral direction he has already given them in Hebrews 13:1-6. First, he reminds them to respect church leaders who rule, speak the Word of God, and provide a faithful example (13:7). Secondly, believers should closely guard the teachings of Scripture so they will not “be carried about with various and strange doctrines.” The false doctrine that the writer was referring to were specifically those who followed the Levitical system of worship. This system was no longer needed because Jesus Christ had provided grace through His death on the cross (13:8-16). Lastly, the readers are instructed to “obey those who rule over you, and be submissive.” The writer then closes his letter asking his readers to pray (13:18-19) and also with a blessing that the “God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight.”

Dear God, help me to live a life of faith!

Returning to the illustration of a race (12:1-30), the writer challenges the believers to “strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.” Although many of his readers had experienced persecution and trials from not following the Levitical system of worship (Judaism), he knew that they could endure and finish the race (12:12). He knew they could do it! As they are running this race, they must “pursue peace with all people, and holiness” because through their examples unbelievers will see the characteristics by which Christians live their lives (12:14). Believers must be careful about the way they live their lives because others are watching. In verses 15-17 the writer of Hebrews specifically addresses those readers who still have not made a heart commitment to Jesus Christ by warning them about continuing hardness the grows in a heart when a person continually rejects the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for sin. He points to Esau (see Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-39) who wanted God’s blessing, but did not want God Himself. Although Esau cried out for the blessing, he was rejected because of the hardness of his heart (12:16-17). Verses 18-29 provide another illustration of those who have exposure to the truth of God, but reject Him with their heart. As Moses was about to be given the law on Mt. Sinai, the people experienced the presence of God beginning with thunderings and lightnings as He was welcomed in with a blasting of a trumpet. The people feared and trembled (Exodus 19:16-19) at His presence, but now the Hebrews were being given the opportunity to approach God through the perfect blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There was no need to fear being in the presence of God based on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross which permanently removed sin. The writer of Hebrews warns his readers not to be like Esau or the nation of Israel, but rather turn to Jesus Christ and avoid the punishment on those who reject His sacrifice. In these verses the author of Hebrews addresses two groups of people. First, he challenges the believers to endure trials and persecution; however, he invites those who have not made up their mind about Jesus Christ to strongly consider Him as the only sacrifice for sin!

Dear God, help me to endure trials and also pray for those who need to decide to follow You.

As the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 had become examples of those who had lived lives of faith, we should also be challenged by their lives of obedience and follow in their footsteps (12:1-3). Although living a life of faith would possibly bring persecution and trials, the writer of Hebrews calls believers to remember the example of Jesus Christ, who went all the way to the cross (12:3-5) and suffered the ultimate persecution – death. The writer of Hebrews reminds his readers that they had not yet experienced death, so they should continue being faithful to God and His ways. Trials and persecution have a way of teaching believers and guiding them in the right direction, so he urges believers to “not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him” because “whom the Lord loves He chastens.” Some of the Hebrews were being persecuted because they had rejected the Levitical system of worship, but they were not to lose heart! Trials are not just a result of doing right, they are sometimes a result of sin and we are encouraged to “endure chastening” because “God deals with you as sons.” Earthly fathers discipline their children and we still respect them (12:9a), so how much more should we respect God when He disciplines us (12:9b). God’s discipline in our life is “for our profit” so that “we may be partakers of His holiness.” Although experiencing God’s discipline is never joyful, it results in a righteous life (12:10-11a). The writer desired that his readers would respond to God’s discipline with the right heart attitude because it would ultimately lead to a righteous life. We must regularly examine our life and respond to any discipline we are experiencing knowing that the right response (submission to God) will lead to holiness!

Dear God, provide the strength I need to endure trials and discipline so that I can live a life of faith and holiness.

We must understand the next two verses in conjunction with Hebrews 11. In the preceding verses, the writer has listed many names of Old Testament saints who believed in the promises of God and evidenced genuine faith in His power. Through each example, the writer of Hebrews is displaying a model of faith for the reader and challenging them to also live a life of faith. Hebrews 12:1 begins with therefore which urges the reader to look back at these great examples of faith, but it also requires a response about knowing this to be true. We are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” who are not spectators, but rather examples to be followed. Our response should be in three ways. First, we must “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.” Keep in mind that the writer is speaking to Hebrews who had not really made up their mind about Christ and had not yet come to salvation. So, when he tells them to “lay aside every weight” he is referring to the Levitical system of worship. He goes on say that they should also lay aside the “sin which easily ensnares.” I don’t believe the writer is referencing one particular sin, but the ultimate sin, unbelief. In context with the book of Hebrews, unbelief is specifically a failure to acknowledge and trust in Jesus Christ as the perfect sacrifice for sin. Secondly, the author tells his readers to “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” After they would come to faith in Christ, the writer desires them not to quit. The race is symbolic of life and we should persevere through trials and temptations. Last, the writer challenges the Hebrews to look to “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Jesus Christ was to be the focus of their faith. Being the author of faith, He perfectly exemplifies it. Being the finisher, He will make sure it is brought to completion. Is Jesus Christ the object of your faith today? If He is, have you been enduring the difficult journey of life by faith?

Dear God, help me to endure the race through faith in You.

Hebrews 11 has become known as the list of the great Heroes of the Faith from the Old Testament. Each one mentioned is an example of someone who lived their life by faith; however, it is also important to point out that these people were not perfect. We must stop here and acknowledge that God, in His grace, has chosen to use broken and sinful people to accomplish His will. By saying this I am not trying to cloud their witness, but I want to emphasize the grace of God in the lives of those who have faith in God and live by faith. Instead of examining each person, I want to provide a brief overview of what the writer of Hebrews wanted his readers to understand. The list of these Old Testament saints provides us examples of people who trusted God and acted upon that faith. Their works did not bring righteousness; however, their faith in God evidenced itself in works. Verse 6 says that “without faith it is impossible to please Him” meaning a person must approach God in faith believing “that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” This is not a simple belief in the existence of God, but a faith which evidences itself through righteous actions. As you read the names and a brief description of what each person did, remember that they did not have confidence in themselves, but in the power of God. The same must be true for us. If we have faith in God through His Son, Jesus, we will act in accordance to His Word. Is your faith reflected in your actions?

Dear God, help me to demonstrate my faith through my actions because of my trust in You.

This is a good time to refresh our memories about the purpose and theme of the book of Hebrews…the death of Jesus Christ has forever done away with the Old Testament system of worship (Judaism) and established Him as the perfect sacrifice for sin; therefore, there is no need to continue in this system of works. Many of the Jews believed in the system rather than in the One to whom the law was symbolizing. The writer wanted to remind his readers that salvation was never a result of works but always a product of faith. This brings us to the word faith, which is defined by the writer as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Simply put, the writer says that faith is the belief or full assurance of a future reality. Throughout the Bible, men and women have had to trust the promises of God and all of this started with God telling Adam and Eve that He would send someone to deliver them from their sin (Genesis 3:15) and destroy the works of the devil. Although Adam and Eve (as well as many Old Testament saints) did not have the details of how God would make sinners righteous, they trusted that God would keep His promises to do so – this is faith! Faith leads the believer to then act on His faith by entrusting his every decision to God, whom he knows will keep His promises. This is so relevant to the Christian today because we experience many trials and disappointments, but we rest in the fact that heaven (eternity) will more than compensate for the hardships we face on earth.

Dear God, thank You for the hope I have in You and the present will pale in comparison to what You have in store for us.

As mentioned in Hebrews 10:1-18, Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice for sin and on the basis of His death, the writer instructs his readers to have “boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus.” All those who believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ now have direct access to the presence of God (10:19-20). The writer also invites those who have not believed to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” and then to respond by holding “fast the confession of our hope without wavering, because He who promised is faithful.” Drawing near to God always results in love, good works, and joining with others to worship (10:24-25). In essence, the writer of Hebrews is calling them to abandon the Levitical system of worship and embrace the perfect sacrifice found in Jesus Christ; however, this choice would probably result in some form of persecution. So, for them to forsake the Old Testament system meant that they were committing to faith in Jesus Christ. For those who would reject this new covenant (death of Jesus Christ for our sin), there would be “judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.” Their rejection of God would also mean that they had “trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the spirit of grace.” God will judge those who reject salvation through His Son and “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Instead of returning to the Levitical system of worship, the writer challenges those Hebrews who had not made up their mind about Jesus to recall what they knew about Him and accept His sacrifice. Although they may be persecuted for rejecting the Levitical system, they would have a “better and enduring possession …in heaven” (10:34). The writer reminded the Hebrews that Christ would return soon (10:37) and expected them to live by faith. God justifies (declares righteous) those who accept the sacrifice of Jesus through faith. When a person has true faith, it will be demonstrated in their actions. Genuine faith cannot be destroyed! The chapter concludes with the writer encouraging those who have believed to remain faithful.

As already stated, animal sacrifices of the Old Testament law were offered by the High Priest once a year but never made those approaching perfect. In fact, that system was only temporary and was designed as a reminder of sin, not to eradicate it. Verse 4 tells us that “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sin.” So why was the system necessary? Verse 1 gives us the reason – the law was “a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things.” The death and shedding of an animal’s blood only pictures the perfect sacrifice which was to come – Jesus Christ. Jesus came to do the will of God to do away with the Old Covenant and establish the New Covenant. By doing God’s will, Jesus Christ sanctified (made holy) those who would accept and believe in His perfect sacrifice for sin (10:10). Being made holy means that the believer is set apart from sin to God. This righteousness is positional which implies that when God looks upon the believer, He does so through the righteousness given by His Son, Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say that after Jesus had offered Himself as a sacrifice, He “sat down at the right hand of God…waiting till His enemies are made His footstool.” Most importantly, His sacrifice has now given those who believe a right standing before God, which could never be done on our own (10:14-18).

Dear God, I thank You that I can now approach You through the righteousness given to me by the blood of Jesus Christ.

In contrast to the Old Testament, earthly tabernacle with a sinful priest, the writer now reveals that Jesus Christ is the High Priest of “good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands.” Furthermore, this tabernacle does not depend on “the blood of goats and calves,” but through the blood of Christ “He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Jesus accomplished what the Old Covenant could not…He shed His blood as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind and because He satisfied the demands of the law (perfection, holiness), He was able to remove sin “once for all.” The death of Jesus was the perfect sacrifice and therefore annulled any further sacrifices being made by human priests. His sacrifice brought eternal redemption to those who would accept it. Redemption carries the idea of a slave being purchased in order to give him freedom. The blood of Jesus Christ purchased our freedom from the consequences of sin; in other words, the penalty for sin was death but Jesus died in our place (9:12-15). It is very clear that the writer of Hebrews is saying that “without shedding of blood there is no remission,” meaning there is no forgiveness without death (9:16-22). Making His home in heaven (9:23), Jesus now appears before God on our behalf (9:24) and through His sacrifice He forgives sin (9:25-26) and will one day return for those who are awaiting Him (9:27-28).

Dear God, I again thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Without His death there would be no forgiveness of sin and I thank You for giving everyone an opportunity to receive His “once for all” sacrifice.

The writer again returns to the inability of the old sacrificial system to bring salvation to those who were a part of it. In verses 1-10 a description of the Old Testament, earthly tabernacle is given in brief. In verse 2 the writer describes the Holy Place, which was the first room in the tabernacle. This room contained things such as the lampstand, showbread, as well as the table for the showbread (see Exodus 25:23-40 for more description of these items). Verse 3 describes what was behind the veil which divided the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. This room contained the golden censer (which was actually right outside the Holy of Holies) but actually was the separating line before one entered this sacred place. Behind the veil in the tabernacle was the ark of the covenant, which contained a golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod, and the tablets of the covenant (10 commandments). Moving from a description of the tabernacle, the writer now explains the purpose of the tabernacle. The priest would go into the first part and perform priestly services, but he would only enter the Holy of Holies once a year (v.7). The priest would enter this place alone and always with blood, which “he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance.” Remember, the tabernacle did not provide any personal worship of God for the people because it kept them at a distance from Him; in fact, the Holy Spirit indicated that the way into the Holy of Holies had not been revealed at the time of the tabernacle (v.8). However, it was symbolic of what was to come in the future and anything done in the tabernacle was imperfect and ultimately pointed to a future fulfillment (vv.9-10). The writer calls this fulfillment a “time of reformation” which refers to restoring of something that is imperfect. We’ll continue on this thought tomorrow.

Dear God, continue to provide understanding for these verses.